Best Sony Xperia Z1 Compact alternatives

We've already had the chance to take the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact for a spin and we can honestly say that it is one remarkable phone. That's because unlike all of those "mini" offerings that we've seen so far, it packs the guts of a premium, top-notch smartphone and it doesn't skimp on features either. But a perfect smartphone the Xperia Z1 Compact is not. For starters, it won't be cheap. It may retail for over $550 once it is released, which is a factor that might make many potential buyers think twice before getting one. Then there's the Z1 Compact's potentially fragile glass construction – a no-no for people suffering from severe butterfingers syndrome. Also, perhaps its Triluminos display won't be everyone's cup of tea. Yet there's no need to worry. There's a number of alternatives to the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact that we can think of and they've all been put together for you in the slideshow below.

Yup, the HTC One mini. Like the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, it is a well-built, good-looking smartphone made of premium materials. And as neat a bonus, you get a set of great-sounding front-facing stereo speakers. On the downside, the One mini's processor and camera are less capable when compared to those inside the Z1 Compact, but on the other hand, the One mini is the less expensive device of these two.

Of course, the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini belongs on this list as well. From a hardware perspective, it has less to offer than the Z1 Compact, but you should be able to grab an S4 mini for half of what Sony's "mini" flagship is expected to cost.

If you'll be spending a ton of money on a smartphone anyway, why not just go ahead and pick an iPhone 5s? It is a premium smartphone that you're probably well familiar with, but in case you aren't, go check out our review and see what makes Apple's flagship so awesome.

Ultimately, if all you need is a cheap and compact Android-based smartphone, the Motorola Moto G should do the trick. As you might guess, Moto's affordable offering is less capable on a hardware level than the Z1 Compact, but let's not forget that a 16GB Moto G costs a mere $199.

The ultimate device in the value-for-money category is the Google Nexus 5. Sure, it is a tad larger than the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, but it has the same guts under the hood - a Snapdragon 800 working in tandem with 2GB of RAM. Just keep in mind that while the 8MP camera on the Nexus 5 is definitely usable, it isn't quite on par with the Z1 Compact's 20.7MP snapper.

Here's one for the more adventurous crowd – the Nokia Lumia 925. Being a Lumia device, it doesn't run Android. It is powered by the Windows Phone 8 OS instead, with isn't bat at all. It just might not be anyone's cup of tea. Those who don't mind sticking with Microsoft's OS, however, will get a phone with a stylish exterior, good camera and snappy performance costing less than an Xperia Z1 Compact.

This list would be incomplete without the Sony Xperia Z1 – it is like a Z1 Compact, only a tad larger. If you're fine with its size, then that's what you should go with, especially when it shouldn't really cost a whole lot more than the Z1 Compact.

Yup, the HTC One mini. Like the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, it is a well-built, good-looking smartphone made of premium materials. And as neat a bonus, you get a set of great-sounding front-facing stereo speakers. On the downside, the One mini's processor and camera are less capable when compared to those inside the Z1 Compact, but on the other hand, the One mini is the less expensive device of these two.

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact alternatives

1. HTC One mini

Yup, the HTC One mini. Like the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, it is a well-built, good-looking smartphone made of premium materials. And as neat a bonus, you get a set of great-sounding front-facing stereo speakers. On the downside, the One mini's processor and camera are less capable when compared to those inside the Z1 Compact, but on the other hand, the One mini is the less expensive device of these two.

2. Galaxy S4 mini

Of course, the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini belongs on this list as well. From a hardware perspective, it has less to offer than the Z1 Compact, but you should be able to grab an S4 mini for half of what Sony's "mini" flagship is expected to cost.

3. iPhone 5s

If you'll be spending a ton of money on a smartphone anyway, why not just go ahead and pick an iPhone 5s? It is a premium smartphone that you're probably well familiar with, but in case you aren't, go check out our review and see what makes Apple's flagship so awesome.

4. iPhone 5c

5. Motorola Moto G

Ultimately, if all you need is a cheap and compact Android-based smartphone, the Motorola Moto G should do the trick. As you might guess, Moto's affordable offering is less capable on a hardware level than the Z1 Compact, but let's not forget that a 16GB Moto G costs a mere $199.

6. Google Nexus 5

The ultimate device in the value-for-money category is the Google Nexus 5. Sure, it is a tad larger than the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, but it has the same guts under the hood - a Snapdragon 800 working in tandem with 2GB of RAM. Just keep in mind that while the 8MP camera on the Nexus 5 is definitely usable, it isn't quite on par with the Z1 Compact's 20.7MP snapper.

7. Nokia Lumia 925

Here's one for the more adventurous crowd – the Nokia Lumia 925. Being a Lumia device, it doesn't run Android. It is powered by the Windows Phone 8 OS instead, with isn't bat at all. It just might not be anyone's cup of tea. Those who don't mind sticking with Microsoft's OS, however, will get a phone with a stylish exterior, good camera and snappy performance costing less than an Xperia Z1 Compact.

8. Sony Xperia Z1

This list would be incomplete without the Sony Xperia Z1 – it is like a Z1 Compact, only a tad larger. If you're fine with its size, then that's what you should go with, especially when it shouldn't really cost a whole lot more than the Z1 Compact.

20 Comments

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Come on… how can the Moto G, One Mini, S4 mini be considered alternatives to the z1 compact? The cameras cannot be compared, since on one side we have one of the best cameras and on the other side we have 5mp low range cameras. The same can be said for the rest of the hardware.
There's not a real alternative to the z1 compact, it's unique. It's also better than the iphone: better screen, better camera, water resistant… though the iphone is the only phone that comes close, meaning that it can offer a good camera and high-end specs in a compact package.

It's funny because what he says here is just that any other phone will do. What kind of alternatives comparison is this. No idea why Motorola Droid Mini not mentioned since it's also in the compact phones class and having the same screen it's noticably more compact and light, not-bad camera, not-bad hardware, lower price tag.

MotoX is just programmed on a "performance state idle Cpu" every Android device is executed on "ondemand Cpu" but on Motos X, it idels on performance and pegasus state, where the Cpu hits 100% in milliseconds and drops down to ondemand. Where as normal every other Android device is set to just run on "ondemand mode" the option is viable with SetCpu by Rooting and Custom Roms.

So what this article really says is that -- If some one, for no particular reason, hates the Z1 compact (there's really no reason actually) then please go buy these other "alternatives" which are nothing like the Z1 compact at all--
the 5S may come close but there are so many thing differentiating these two that it's just not an alternative.
Also, 1) nobody would hate the Triluminous display because it's very good.
2) it's gonna be cheaper than the Z1 which is how it's price has to be compared and not with the other "minis"
3)The glass is not fragile AT ALL.
It's like you guys are trying really hard to bash the Z1 compact :D I mean you say it costs too much but then suggest to buy the 5S which is actually a lot more costly than this phone. So to conclude, all in all this is a bulls#$% article.

it hasn't even come out and yet there's already a list of alternatives, maybe because it's a direct rival to your beloved 5s?? phonearena please you're such a good site! don't waste your knowledge/opinion on fanboyism!

After a decade of coexistence with my beloved HD2 (thanks to nobel man/people called tytung) I decided to purchase new toy. And tha wasn't an easy jurney. As I demanded that it have to support all LTE's bands, have to have nice display etc. etc. And Z1C was an solitary choice. It hase everything I need and I expect from phone, and cost no fortune. And for all those ho are complaining for details, my advise is:
1) if you are looking for superb pictures, by SLR camer. Canon EOS-1DX is perfect choise for you
2) if you are looking for an electronic device, which survives water splash of Niagara falls, there is no such. So don't shower with IP57 phone, as water pressure is incredibly higher, the in testing IP57 enviroment (this says, you could submerge device into 1m depth for 20 minutes ... but in still water)
3)i you are looking for studio quality sound, don't buy mobie phone, work hard and go for bang & olufsen, or at least buy new headset, my Marshalls do great job

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